Convention - Comic Con France 2025: Game of Thrones, Jack Gleeson, The Prince Who Never Smiled, Charms the Fans at the Main Stage

By Mulder, Villepinte, Parc des Expositions, 12 april 2025

It’s not every day that you see a room full of Game of Thrones fans erupt into excited applause for a man who made the world squirm with his every smirk on screen. But that’s exactly what happened on April 12, 2025, when Jack Gleeson—who famously played the universally despised yet brilliantly written King Joffrey Baratheon—graced the Main Stage for a much-anticipated panel. From the second he appeared, the room shifted. People weren’t seeing the spoiled tyrant of Westeros anymore; they were meeting the thoughtful, soft-spoken actor who had brought such terrifying nuance to one of television’s most memorable villains. Gleeson, now 32, made it clear just how wide the chasm is between the character he played and the man he is—gracious, self-deprecating, and genuinely amused by the long-lasting reactions his portrayal of Joffrey still evokes.

What stood out immediately during the panel was Gleeson’s grounded presence. It’s easy to forget, in the whirlwind of dragons, political betrayals, and deaths that defined Game of Thrones, that Jack Gleeson walked away from the Hollywood spotlight at the peak of his visibility. After playing Joffrey from 2011 to 2014, Gleeson stepped back, not out of disdain for the industry, but with a desire to explore something deeper. As fans listened, many were struck by how genuine and intentional his decision was. He spoke about studying philosophy and theology at Trinity College Dublin and the intellectual curiosity that pulled him toward academia. It was a fascinating contrast to the conniving character he embodied, and it gave fans a richer sense of the artist behind the villain.

Of course, the discussion couldn’t avoid diving into the depths of Westeros. Gleeson offered some insightful behind-the-scenes stories—one particularly amusing tale involved the infamous scene where Joffrey meets his end. While most fans remember it as a grotesque and poetic moment of justice, Gleeson recalled how technically challenging it was to get the choking and facial coloration just right. He emphasized the immense collaboration with makeup artists and the directorial team, illustrating how even the most hated death in the series required precision and teamwork. It's the kind of detail that reminds fans just how layered and labor-intensive the show really was.

Interestingly, he also opened up about his influences, notably crediting Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Commodus in Gladiator as a touchstone for shaping Joffrey’s unpredictable volatility. It’s a compelling comparison—both characters are young, cruel rulers driven by insecurity, and both performances managed to be deeply unsettling yet unforgettable. What Gleeson brought to Joffrey was more than just nastiness; he embodied a dangerous mix of entitlement, youthful arrogance, and the unchecked abuse of power. Hearing him break that down with a sense of intellectual curiosity and humor made the audience appreciate the role on an entirely new level.

The panel wasn't just about nostalgia; it was also about growth. Gleeson shared updates on his post-Thrones life, from his indie theatre work with the now-dissolved Collapsing Horse Theatre Company to his appearance in the BBC’s Out of Her Mind and the Irish thriller In the Land of Saints and Sinners. Despite his detour from mainstream fame, Gleeson’s creative spirit has remained alive in smaller, more personal projects. Many fans were pleasantly surprised to learn about his deep roots in the Irish theatre scene and how formative those early years with his sisters in youth drama workshops had been for his craft. These anecdotes painted a picture of a man who never chased stardom but rather stumbled into it, carried by talent, timing, and a truly iconic role.

During the Q&A session, it became evident just how enduring his impact was. Fans—many of whom admitted to hating Joffrey passionately—took the mic not to berate him but to thank him. His performance, after all, had done something rare: it made audiences feel something visceral. As he answered questions, Gleeson maintained a light and often humorous tone, poking fun at his own character's over-the-top cruelty. He seemed genuinely touched by the affection directed his way, a stark contrast to the boos his character used to draw during the show’s original run.

Ultimately, the panel served as a kind of emotional arc all its own: a full-circle moment for Gleeson and the fans who had grown up with Game of Thrones. It was a reminder of the cultural magnitude of the show, yes, but more than that, it was a tribute to what performance can do. Joffrey may have been the villain we loved to hate, but Jack Gleeson is the actor we now love to appreciate. His return to public events, however rare, feels like a gift to fans—a chance to separate fiction from reality, and to meet the person who, with quiet brilliance, gave life to one of television’s most loathed and lauded figures. Jack Gleeson didn’t just play Joffrey Baratheon—he conquered the role with such depth and precision that decade later, audiences are still unpacking the emotional weight he carried. And on this April afternoon, the prince who never smiled left the stage with one of his own.

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Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville